Edwards denies paying 'Millionaire Madam' for sex

Former U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful and former U.S. Senator John Edwards makes a brief statement to the press outside of the U.S. District Court after pleading not guilty to six federal criminal felony charges in Winston-Salem, N.C, in this file photo taken June 3, 2011.

By msnbc.com staff

Former Sen. John Edwards is denying a report that he was a client of the prostitution ring allegedly run by accused “Millionaire Madam” Anna Gristina while he was running for president.

The woman reportedly told authorities that Edwards paid her for sex during a 2007 visit to New York to raise money for his failed White House bid, DNAinfo reported Thursday.

Edwards' attorney on Thursday denied the allegation.

“Mr. Edwards categorically denies that he was involved with any prostitute or service,” said Allison Van Laningham, according to NYDailyNews.com.

“These allegations are false, defamatory, and he puts those who would publish or repeat them on notice that they acting with actual malice by reporting or repeating them," she told NYDailyNews.com. “He has demanded a complete retraction from the only source being quoted.”

DNAinfo reported that the prostitute provided a detailed account of her encounter with Edwards to investigators. No charges were brought in the case.

Edwards, 58, is facing a federal trial in North Carolina over allegations that he used campaign donations to cover up an affair he was having with videographer Rielle Hunter, with whom he later had a child. The politician was married at the time to Elizabeth Edwards, who was battling cancer. She died in December 2010.